Rhino Records pop-up store to return in May

Proceeds to benefit Recording Academy's MusiCares charity

The Rhino Records pop-up store, a successful charity event last year, will be revived in May as a benefit for the Recording Academy’s MusiCares arm.

The Los Angeles retail outlet — a legendary hangout for music obsessives that spawned the like-named label, today Warner Music Group’s catalog division — folded in 2006. It was reborn last May at a temporary location in Westwood, a few doors away from its original location. Proceeds were distributed to the Chrysalis Foundation, a local group supporting the homeless and underemployed.

This year, Rhino will reappear May 27-June 12 at a location yet to be determined. Store and label co-founder Richard Foos and former longtime Rhino manager and former A&R senior vp Gary Stewart are overseeing the event.

As it was last year, the store will be stocked with contributions from the music community, and members of the L.A. NARAS chapter are being solicited.

“Richard had a lot of connections, and last year he got stuff from the Rhino label and warehouses and friends,” Stewart said. MusiCares’ constituents “are the people who made what we did a year ago possible. The people who need our help are part of the (Rhino) tradition.”

Last year’s pop-up programming included live performances by such local acts and Rhino familiars as the Blasters, Peter Case, the Last, Maria McKee and Little Willie G. Similar shows will be booked for the 2011 edition.